The most significant day of negotiations in 34 years between the US, Iran, and other powers culminated in an all-night meeting between American Secretary of State John Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and the European Union�s Catherine Ashton on Friday.
The sudden decision of Kerry and European Foreign Ministers to go to Geneva, elevating the level of the discussions, pointed to the possibility of an initial deal over Iran�s level of uranium enrichment and an easing of US-led sanctions on Tehran.

However, the details remain to be established, so the talks were extended to a third day after Kerry, Zarif, and Ashton spent several hours in discussion.

The general line of confidentiality was held; however, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said before last night�s marathon session:

We are reaching a very critical important point. The negotiations have reached its critical, very sensitive situation, and it needs decisions at higher levels.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected in Geneva today, and there are reports that his Chinese counterpart will also arrive. If so, all six Foreign Ministers of the 5+1 Powers will be present for what may be the declaration of a general agreement.



A Caution But Also General Support in Tehran for Rouhani Government over Nuclear Talks
There was a flutter yesterday with a report that the Tehran Friday Prayer leader, Hojetoleslam Ali Mohavedi Kermani,�had been less than enthusiastic�about the nuclear talks:

It�s harmful to underestimate the enemy because they do nothing other than playing tricks. Our enemy would not rest even for a moment. If we underestimate the enemy we will definitely get hurt.

The US secretary of state has pledged [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu that he will not do a bad deal with Iran; it means that they will not agree to an agreement that is harmful for them, which means they will not make a good deal with Iran.

I don�t think the talks will bear fruit. They are not going to stop their enmity with us.

However, most within the regime�maintained their support�for the Rouhani Government and its delegation in Geneva, with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of Parliament�s National Security Commission,�summarising the mood:

The significant results of the first round of negotiations between the P5+1 [5+1 Powers], the positive [results] of the second round, and the primary agreements are a sign that the context exists for beginning some type of agreement based on the nation�s interests and a process of decreasing sanctions�.

Given the disturbed position of the Western economy and its damage before sanctions on Iran, as well as the ineffectiveness of sanctions on our nuclear activities, it seems that the conditions have been created for them to reach the conclusion that an agreement is more beneficial than confrontational policies towards Iran�.

Netanyahu�s desperate efforts against Iran will not end up anywhere.

And last night the Iranian team received the highest endorsement as the�Supreme Leader�s office tweeted, �Nuclear negotiators are children of the Revolution.�

By EA WorldView

 

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